The Bardstown Road Farmers’ Market

Almost exactly one year ago, I went to my first and only farmers’ market at Beargrass Christian Church in St. Matthews.

The experience was one I’ll never forget – it was my first assignment with The Voice-Tribune. While I enjoyed my time at the market and meeting a ton of new people while perusing the produce and other merchandise on sale, I sadly never found the time to return to another farmers’ market since that early Saturday morning last spring.

This weekend, however, in light of some much needed grocery shopping, I decided to check out the Bardstown Road Farmers’ Market located at the Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church. Since opening in 1991, the market has grown to become one of the most popular in Louisville, featuring nearly 30 vendors each week selling farm fresh and locally grown products.

I drove down to the Highlands with my dad on a warm Saturday morning around 10:30 a.m. A crowd had already begun to fill the parking lot of the church. Outside, we found a variety of tents featuring vegetables, bread and pastries, fruit, honey, flowers, beef, eggs and cheese.

While my dad’s sole purpose was to search for a great deal on cucumbers, my sight was quickly set on the spicy pickles I came across from Wild Carrot Farm.

Ken Hubsch worked the booth selling eggs, beef and Pop’s Pepper Patch Habagardil Pickles. After offering a sample of the OMG Habagardil, I obliged to taste a pickle chip, which had just the right mix of zest and sweetness. Hubsch then encouraged me to try an even spicier version, and I accepted the dare without hesitation.

The second round of pickles had a much stronger kick that lingered after devouring it. While I like hot food and considered consuming another, I decided to let my mouth cool and buy the tamer flavor of the OMG. It was nothing like I’d tasted before, and certainly isn’t a variety of pickle I’d expect to find at a typical grocery store.

After purchasing the pickles for only $5, my dad began his quest for a sale on cucumbers. There were varying prices throughout the market, but he finally came across a steal: three for $1 – better than the price at most stores.

We continued to look around throughout the market but left satisfied with our small purchases. We weren’t exactly big spenders, but the visit to the farmers’ market wasn’t just about shopping – it was about enjoying the atmosphere as well.

Circling through a cold grocery can become a bit mundane, but basking in the warm sun while also supporting local farmers can be a nice break from the chore of filling a cart or basket with food.

The community environment at the market was welcoming, and there were plenty of tables to sit down and enjoy sizzling omelets or other purchases made throughout the day.

The farmers’ market season is now in full swing throughout most of Louisville. If not the Bardstown Road Farmers’ Market, you should check out one of the many other venues around town while the markets are still in season.

For information on the Bardstown Road Farmers’ Market, visit www.bardstownroadfarmersmarket.com. For a list of upcoming farmers’ markets, see below.

Location

Bardstown Road Farmers’ Market
1722 Bardstown Road at Deer Park in the parking lot of the Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church

Schedule
Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon
April 7 through December 22

About the Author

[gravatar email="aanderson@voice-tribune.com" size="60" alt="Ashley Anderson" class="user-picture"]
Ashley spends half her time writing stories at The Voice-Tribune office and half her time out on the town conducting interviews, while occasionally dressing in wild outfits to fully immerse herself in the experience (aka Princess Leia at Comic Con). Ashley is a huge UofL fan and loves the Yankees and the Boston Celtics (she is fully aware of the irony). She hopes to one day outshine Erin Andrews on ESPN and enjoys running, Bardstown Road/Fourth Street, Breaking Bad and reality TV (she’s not ashamed to admit that).